Quarry resource management issues and effects

Quarrying can generate a number of on-site and off-site environmental effects

through the blasting, excavation, crushing, screening, stockpiling and transport
of aggregate.

The degree and nature of effects caused by quarrying varies according to the
type of quarry, the scale of operation, methods used to excavate aggregate,
the geology of the area, the receiving environment and the surrounding land
uses. The effects of quarries also vary by their nature (rock or sand) and
whether they are in short- or long-term use, in continuous use or used
irregularly or seasonally.
Quarrying involves the excavation of rock, gravel or sand from the ground
(including river beds and beaches). Rock-won aggregate is typically produced
through drilling and blasting it from suitable rock deposits, and crushing and
screening it to the desired size.

Gravels and sand are normally sourced from river beds (both current and old)
and from beaches. Excavation typically involves machinery, without the need
for blasting. Crushing of gravel is usually limited to larger gravels while
screening is used to separate out smaller sizes for specific uses. Aggregate
products requiring further refinement can often involve additional washing,
crushing and screening processes.

The uses of rock aggregate range from road preparation and finishing (base
and surface) to composite for concrete. Gravel and sand aggregates are
similarly used for road and construction products but also have a range of
specialty landscaping uses.

Effects are either on site, on neighbouring properties or completely off site,

such as the transportation of aggregate. The environmental effects of quarrying
primarily include:

the disturbance of land and vegetation

the disturbance of river beds or coastal marine areas

dust

vibration

noise

traffic

visual effects

impact on cultural and historic heritage values

the discharge of contaminants into air, water, land and the coastal
marine area.

The effects of quarrying need to be considered when developing appropriate

objectives, policies and methods in plans to manage quarrying. Although the
effects of quarrying can often be mitigated, they cannot always be avoided.

When establishing parameters around objectives, policies and methods to

control the effects of quarrying, it is important to encourage effects to be
internalised on site as much as possible. The need to internalise effects also
applies to resource consents, where the onus is on applicants to demonstrate
they have internalised the effects of their activities as far as is reasonably
practicable (see s17 of the RMA and case law on Winstone Aggregates Limited
v Papakura District Council (A096/98)). Only where the internalisation of effects
cannot be achieved, and protection is warranted, should off-site mitigation or
reverse sensitivity measures be considered (refer to the discussion on buffer
zones).

Existing use rights should also be considered when identifying effects and
developing appropriate methods to manage them. See more on existing uses in
the RMA Enforcement Manual.

The positive benefits of quarrying should be considered alongside any adverse

effects. Positive effects include:

the contribution to the economic and social development of an area

through the provision of raw materials to maintain and enhance
community facilities, services and infrastructure such as water treatment
plants, hospitals, schools, airports, new roads, bridges, motorways and
new buildings

the provision of direct and indirect employment opportunities

diversification of the local economy and support of ancillary services

such as engineering, mechanic and construction businesses

the reduced social and economic costs of having aggregate resources

closer to demand

opportunity for the end use of quarries, for example, recreational or

habitat opportunities

other flow-on regional benefits, including complementary businesses or

services.

Gravel extraction resource management issues and effects

Gravel extraction can generate a number of on-site and off-site environmental

effects through the excavation of material from riverbeds (or banks of rivers)
and the associated, crushing, screening, stockpiling and transport of
aggregate.

The degree and nature of effects caused by gravel extraction varies according
to the scale of the operation, the methods used to extract the gravel, the
surrounding land uses and the ecological and hydrological characteristics of the
river environment.
Effects are either on site, on neighbouring properties or completely off site,
such as the transportation of aggregate, or where fine sediments area
transported downstream in the water column. The environmental effects of
gravel extraction primarily include:

the disturbance of land and vegetation

the disturbance of river beds or coastal marine areas

disruption of habitats for birds, freshwater and wildlife species

dust

vibration

noise

traffic

visual effects

impact on cultural and historic heritage values

the discharge of contaminants into air, water, land and the coastal
marine area.

The effects of gravel extraction need to be considered when developing

appropriate objectives, policies and methods in District and Regional Plans.
Although the effects of gravel extraction can often be mitigated, they cannot
always be avoided.

When establishing parameters around objectives, policies and methods to

control the effects of gravel extraction, it is important to encourage effects to
be internalised on site as much as possible. The need to internalise effects in
developing objectives, policies and other methods also applies to resource
consents, where the onus is on applicants to demonstrate they have
internalised the effects of their activities as far as is reasonably practicable
(see s17 of the RMA). Only where the internalisation of effects cannot be
achieved, and protection is warranted, should off-site mitigation or reverse
sensitivity measures be considered (refer to the discussion on buffer zones).

The positive benefits of gravel extraction should be considered alongside any

adverse effects. Positive effects include:

enhanced flood protection through the removal of excess aggregate from

the riverbed

creation of habitats for birds where gravel extraction is well managed

 the contribution to the economic and social development of an area
through the provision of raw materials to maintain and enhance
community facilities, services and infrastructure such as water treatment
plants, hospitals, schools, airports, new roads, bridges, motorways and
new buildings

the provision of direct and indirect employment opportunities

diversification of the local economy and support of ancillary services

such as engineering, mechanic and construction businesses

the reduced social and economic costs of having aggregate resources

closer to demand

other flow-on regional benefits, including complementary businesses or

services.